LGBTQIA+ Commission

MINUTES LGBTQIA+ COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 20, 2024 Present: Chair Steven Kovach, Vice Chair Dolly Haddad, Commissioners, Jennifer Billingsley, Laura Timmons, Katie Marrotte, Beth Shapiro, Jesse Nasta, and Cayes Jarda. Members of the Public: Brianna Skowera. 1. Call to Order By Chairperson. Chair Kovach called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. 2. Approval of the Minutes for the October 16, 2024 Regular Meeting of the LGBTQIA+ Commission. MOTION: Jennifer Billingsley made a motion to approve the minutes from the October 16, 2024 Regular Meeting of the LGBTQIA+ Commission. Beth Shapiro seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:16 pm. 3. Public Session on Agenda Items. None. 4. New Business. A. 2025 LGBTQIA+ Commission Meeting Schedule. MOTION: Jesse Nasta made a motion to approve 2025 meeting schedule of the LGBTQIA+ Commission. Cayes Jarda seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:19 pm. B. Submitted Applications for Proposed Events. I. “Disarming Disinformation” – a presentation by advocate Been Greene, author of “My Child is Trans, Now What?) regarding identifying and combating dis-, mis-, and mal-information. Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 6 pm in the Hubbard Room at Russell Library, estimated cost $600 (Brianna Skowera). MOTION: Beth Shapiro made a motion to approve the event as presented. Laura Timmons seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:22 pm. II. Middletown Pride Holiday Dinner. Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 6 pm at Perk on Main Street. Estimated cost $2,100. (Brianna Skowera). MOTION: Jennifer Billingsley made a motion to approve the event as presented, with a budget of $2,400. Katie Marrotte seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:26 pm. If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638- 4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting.  III. Legal Services Event, Saturday January 4, 2025 from 12 – 4 pm at First Church. Cost $2,500. (Commissioner Timmons). MOTION: Jennifer Billingsley made a motion to approve two events, one as presented, and one with a date TBD. Beth Shapiro seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:41 pm. C. Request for Proposals for Lead Organizer of Middletown Pride. (AGC Forte). MOTION: Dolly Haddad made a motion to approve the proposed RFP, with the correction of changing the year from 2022 to 2024 on page 3 and 5. Katie Marrotte seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously at 7:49 pm. D. Recap of PrideFEST 2024 and planning for Middletown Pride 2025 (Commissioners, and Members of the Public). No update. 5. Old Business. A. Safety for LGBTQIA+ Community in Middletown (Commissioner Timmons and Mangiafico). Laura Timmons spoke of issues in the state where there is anti- trans literature being spread in neighborhoods. Doxxing gender affirming healthcare providers. B. Middletown Pride Grant Program. No update. C. Middletown Pride Scholarship Program (Commissioners Timmons and Shapiro). No update. D. Middletown Pride Community Events Program (Total approved spending for FY 2024-2025: $15,510. Excludes the $6,500 approved for TCC). I. Recap of Pride Dance Night, October 18, 2024, 10pm – 1:30 am, La Boca (Brianna Skowera). Brianna Skowera updated that this was a great event. II. Recap of Two Part Gender Affirming Care Presentations with Middlesex Health on October 23 from 6-7pm at Baggish Conference Room Middlesex Hospital), and to appear at presentations and give opening remarks. (Commissioner Timmons). Laura Timmons and Katie Marrotte Attended and said that it was a great event. III. Recap of Connecticut Cryptids Event at RJ Julia, November 7, 2024 at 6 pm, cost $1,950 (Commissioner Billingsley). Jennifer said the event went well. Attendees asked for more book centered events. If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638- 4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting.  IV. Recap of Gayme Nights on November 18, 2024 (also to be held in January 2025, March 2025 and May 2025 from 6-9pm at Back Again Board Game Café, cost $800-$1,000 per event. (Commissioners Haddad, Santacroce, and Marrotte). Katie Marrotte stated it was a great event with about 35 attendees. V. Transgender Day of Remembrance Memorial, on Wednesday, November 20, at First Church from 6-7pm. Cost $995. (Commissioner Timmons). This event was held just prior to the meeting. There was conversation of making sure there are more members of the trans community speaking in the future. VI. Educational Mental Health Event, date TBD (fall/winter), 6-9pm, Free Center in Middletown, co-sponsorship, cost $250-550. (Dana LaBranche). No update. VII. Murder Mystery Party, February 13, 2025 (Commissioner Jarda). Will be held at the Free Center on February 13. Waiting on deposits from the chamber. VIII. Day of GIFTS in partnership with Middlesex Health, date Saturday, March 29, 2025 – Serve on Planning Committee to help plan event. Katie Marrotte and Laura Timmons will be attending the planning meetings. IX. TCC Event Series, September 2024 through August 2025 (Cayes Jarda, Beth Shapiro, and Jennifer Billingsley). No updates. 6. Adjournment. MOTION: Jennifer Billingsley made a motion to adjourn. Laura Timmons seconded the motion. Motion was approved unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 8:21 pm. If you require special accommodations for any meeting, please call the ADA Coordinator at (860) 638- 4540, (voice) or (860) 638-4812 (TDD/TTY), or the Town Clerk’s Office at (860) 638-4910 at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled meeting.